Fudge and Marriage by Nancy Coco takes place om Mackinac Island where Allie runs a fudge shop and hotel, the McMurphy, inherited from her family. She was also planning for her wedding to Rex, the love of her life and the local policeman. This part of the novel turned into a comedy of errors, mostly caused by her mother, over the question of Allie’s wedding. Her mother wanted one thing and didn’t really care what Allie and Rex wanted. She had Allie all trussed up in vintage designer clothing and plasticized hair. Thankfully she had Jenn, her best friend, maid of honor, and wedding planner, and Rex, to keep her grounded. Meanwhile, an old lady was murdered right outside the library and nearly in front of Allie’s eyes. Everyone begged Allie to let it go because of the wedding, and she almost did. Just a little investigating.

Allie is stubborn. It is an endearing trait. She is quite a good character, well written and imbued with a plethora of interesting personality traits, far beyond what one thinks of as a fudge maker. A fact that her mother believed, but for quite different reasons. She had worked hard to become a member of the community and she felt her stadning was in danger, based on her mother’s behavior. It is a small community and the fact that there are so many murders there belies its calm. Rex loves working here and loves Allie and is looking forward to their life together. The mystery was a good one and ended just as we would have it end. Good characters, excellent setting, plenty of interesting side characters. What more could one want?

I was invited to read Fudge and Marriage by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #NancyCoco #FudgeAndMarriage

Allie and Rex are getting married. It’s two weeks from the wedding and Allie finds a dead body near the library. Then her mom and family show up. The book had all the makings of a fiasco because Allie’s mom and family are pretty overbearing. A large part of the book details the goings on with Allie’s mom and what she is getting up to.
Allie has an ally in Aunt Ginny, her mom’s sister. Ginny is interested in sleuthing and works with Allie to see what they can find out about the murder.
Allie, rightly, is pretty distracted; she is getting married soon.
The book is eye opening in a number of ways. The reader learns about Allie’s very large family and traditions, about Rex’s past and family, and gets a new view of island history and relationships.
I was surprised by the culprit. I thought there was a pretty good picture of the person from previous books in the series. It’s another reason I called the story eye opening.
The wedding was sweet. I like the devotion Allie and Rex have for each other.
I recommend reading this book after getting to know the characters through other books in the series. This is a culmination of growth that has occurred as the series progressed
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read this book.

It is always a pleasure to return to Mackinac Island and renew my friendship with Allie McMurphy and all the gang at the fudge shop. The characters, who have grown along with the series, feel so life-like. In this addition to the Candy - Coated Mystery series I was excited to try and solve a twisted, well thought out mystery. The storyline is equally entertaining as Allie's mother is in town to "help" her plan the wedding. She does not come alone, but with a mean spirited group of relatives. Poor Allie has a lot on her plate before she can marry the man of her dreams. Will she succeed? Or, cave-in to her mother's demands?

I tried the Carmel No-Bake Cookies recipe and it was fabulous. There are several more included in the book.

Nancy Coco's writing pulls the reader into the story and makes them emphasize with the characters. I love everything about this series ---the setting, the characters, storylines, and the good mysteries. I would recommend this book and series to other cozy and light mystery readers. To benefit the most from the characters interaction and growth, I do recommend starting with book one. You won't regret it.

Thank you NetGally for an advanced reader e-copy to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#NetGally #KensingtonCozies #FudgeandMarriage #NancyCoco

After 6 months of planning, Allie McMurphy is eagerly anticipating her upcoming wedding to Mackinac Island lead police officer Rex Manning. What Allie didn’t plan on was her mother arriving two weeks early, fully intending to implement her own vision for her daughter’s wedding. Allie’s plans for a casual ceremony and potluck reception seem to be going out the window, despite her best friend being an event planner who promised to fulfill Allie’s dreams. This is the last stress the completely non-bridezilla needs, as she had only recently stumbled across the body of Velma French, with her decades-long nemesis Myrtle Bautita sobbing over the body. On one of Allie’s many ventures to the library to return and borrow wedding planning books she had seen the latest scuffle between the two women, an act that places Myrtle high on the suspect list.

While the library’s bookclub/social club/amateur detectives begin their own investigation in the case, Allie finds herself struggling to maintain civil to her mother and her disapproving relatives. While her Mom has no hesitation about their all staying for free in Allie’s historical McMurphy Hotel (and booting out any guests who had already made reservations), her aunts and uncles refuse to lower themselves and book another resort where they are equally critical. Ironically, Allie’s mother had herself eloped and received an overwhelming amount of disapproval from the family, which does perhaps explain why she is so adamant about making this the respectable, upper-class wedding they expect. Even when her Mom’s intentions are good they go disastrously for the engaged couple, resulting in a fight that has Allie wondering if Rex will bother attending the wedding at all.

This 13th installment serves as a possible wind-up for the series while still leaving avenues open for new adventures. The actual mystery plays out rather low-key in the background, with the focus falling more on Allie and the challenges she faces dealing with her family. It’s not easy watching Allie be bulldozed over by her mother and judgmental relatives, so it’s so rewarding to see Allie learn to stand up for herself and demand the respect and wedding she deserves. A number of past characters from the series appear throughout and grant loyal readers the opportunity to have closure with them as well, with some venturing off on promising personal and professional futures. This is a compelling novel that will have readers glued to the page as they become fully invested in Allie’s complex relationship with her mother and how the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge shop owner finds happiness and balance in her life. Recipes, Allie’s adorable bichonpoo Marshmallow and cat Carmella ensure add the perfect cozy topping to this satisfying family drama and murder mystery.

When Allie’s mom and relatives showed up too early for Allie and Rex’s wedding, I was ready to have a word with the woman myself, lol. But Jenn as bestie and wedding planner went to bat for Allie more than once, and I was proud of Allie herself for finally standing up to the ridiculousness her mom insisted on with some things.

And of course it wouldn’t be our Allie without her getting involved in a murder investigation. I’ve been to the Mackinac Library and thought it was really cool that some of the scenes were in there—such an awesome place! Unfortunately outside was where the murder scene ended up and this time I hadn’t guessed whodunit at all.

Allie and Rex are always gonna always remember their wedding day, that’s for sure! What a crazy showdown and Allie had a cool sleuthing buddy in the form of the only non-uppity aunt she had. I’d love to see Aunt Ginny visit again sometime, she was pretty awesome. Thanks to her good island friends and sweet Rex, Allie and he got their happily ever after as planned. I didn’t want this book to end but as always, the excerpt of the next book at the end kinda serves as a little bridge to make the Mackinac magic last just a little longer. I can’t wait to read the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Fudge and Marriage is book #14 in the Candy-Coated Mystery series by Nancy Coco.

Going to Mackinac Island and eating fudge is a bucket list item for me thanks to this series. It’s wedding time for Allie and Rex. Will they get the wedding they want or will Allie’s mom take over? There’s a murder and Allie wants to find the killer before her big day. Solving a murder is easier than dealing with family drama. There are a few delicious sounding recipes included. After reading the teaser chapter for the next book, I can’t wait for it!

3.5!!!

I don't know what I was expecting inside the story when I saw this cover, but I think it's safe to say I got it.

A Cozy Mystery that to my unwelcome surprise, is volume 13 which follows the life of the intrepid semi-sleuth Allie McMurphy, so you can imagine that there are many things that have already been developed up to this point, such as the relationship with Officer Rex Manning.

I can't tell you if there are spoilers here or not, because I haven't read any of the previous books.

But like all Cozy, there's a mystery to solve and lots of candy, so you'll have a fun afternoon.

I've been craving chocolate and tea to go with this story, because between all the mystery, wedding preparations and a momzilla who has taken over the wedding, it's a good choice for a weekend read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.

Pd: Now I want to read the previous books.

Another entertaining visit to Mackinac Island. Several surprises. Lots of family issues. The cat and dog add to the tale. A delightful series. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Fudge and Marriage by Nancy Coco is a great culinary cozy mystery that is the the fourteenth book in the Candy-Coated Mystery series.

I’ve enjoyed this series so far, and I liked this newest one where Allie has to balance investigating a local murder/mystery while counting down the days until her wedding to Rex. Her family is driving her crazy, and I can definitely sympathize with that as wedding plans can be stressful, especially when there are feelings and family involved.

I liked the mystery, the progression, and the early summer vibe. I will definitely continue to read this series.

Here’s to the next installment!

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/1/25.

Fudge and Marriage is a strong and delightful addition to the Candy-Coated Mysteries. I love that author Nancy Coco has taken us through shifts on the island as time passes while she keeps the characters and over-all feel consistent. This combined consistency and change adds an element of reality to the cozy mystery genre that naturally stretches reality with a murder in everyone book and an amateur detective solving every crime. I love the genre, but I really need elements to be strong and realistic to balance that statistical anomaly. I adore the regular characters and would love to spend even more time with them. I enjoyed the fact that we saw a little more loving interaction between our favorite couple, not sex, love; sometimes I have wondered when they got enough time to develop a real relationship. That is as close as I come to a criticism of this fun, must-read cozy.
Between having her mother and a handful of snobbish relative arrive early and a murder that friends insist can't be the way it looks, it is a wonder that Allie can function. Her mother wants the debutant style wedding that she has always dreamed of for Allie while Allie and Rex want just the wedding they want planned, and it does not include thousands of dollars of items just to impress her wealthy relatives, nor does it exclude the community that they both love. The interpersonal relationships offer Allie a chance to stand out in a new way. I felt so sorry for how her mother makes her feel less, but I enjoyed watching her develop a strength that she usually can't find when her mom is around. Rex it too involved in the investigation to give her the backup that he would like to, but he provides the kind of support that she needs when he can. I hope we see couples time in future books.
The mystery plot follows the usual pattern for the series until it doesn't. I enjoy that pattern that includes the seniors providing bits that help the investigation come together. They are so fun!
My thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Cozies and allowing me to read an ARC of this delightful book. Fudge and Marriage is just right for the lead up to Allie and Rex's wedding. It is my favorite of the recent books, and I have loved all of them.
#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #NancyCoco #FudgeandMarriage #CandyCoatedMystery

Our favorite fudge maker is FINALLY ready to walk down the aisle in book 13 of A Candy-coated Mystery series! But nothing is ever simple in Allie and Rex's life, so when her mother shows up with family that wasn't invited by Allie, takes over her hotel and tries to upset all the wedding plans Allie has made, she starts wondering if the wedding will even happen. Then she literally trips over a murder victim, and life gets even more complicated as she tries to keep her mind occupied with a homicide rather than her wedding. In typical Allie fashion, she bites off way more than she expected and after typical cozy craziness, we fans finally get the wedding, though it's not quite what Allie envisioned....

Fun read for fans of the series, or those new to it.

There is never a dull moment on Mackinac Island. You can count on fun, sun, fudge and a good mystery. This installment not only has a murder mystery to solve, but Allie and Rex are finally getting married.

Allie wants a simple ceremony with a guest list that includes her island friends, but her mother has other grandiose ideas. After all, appearances mean everything to her mother. Allie's mother is insufferable and a pain in the neck. I have never liked her while reading this series, but my dislike went to a whole other level in this book. The family is even worse. So this one had a little more drama than is usually seen in this series, but the mystery is still fantastic.

When Allie finds a woman dead with another woman (who just so happened to be the dead woman's rival) close by, Allie knows better than to assume anything. She is determined to solve this murder before her wedding. She soon finds investigating a murder more pleasurable than dealing with her overbearing mother. Allie is like a dog with a bone when she is on the trail of a mystery to solve. Fearlessness should be her middle name.

This is another great one in the winner column for the this series. This is one my favorite cozy mystery series. I find myself wanting to eat something chocolate.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Despite being just weeks away from her wedding day, Allie finds herself knee-deep in a murder investigation she simply can't ignore. To complicate matters, her overbearing mother and pretentious relatives arrive early, determined to critique every detail of the wedding and her life. Now, Allie faces the daunting challenge of unraveling the mystery, enduring her family's unsolicited advice, and making it to the altar in one piece.

This series never fails to impress with its gorgeous covers, beautiful setting and excellent mysteries.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have read every Candy-Coated Mystery, and they just keep getting better. These are Cozy Mysteries that you visit like old friends.

Allie and Rex's Wedding is finally here, and Everyone's invited. Now Allie just has to survive her relatives, wedding planning, and a Momzilla that has plans of her own.

When leaving the library, Allie finds Myrtle over the body of Velma with a Bloody rock. To Rex and the authorities, this looks pretty open and shut. Only Allie and the Ladies of the Book Club disagree. Now, Allie has to add catching a killer to her list.

This was one of my favorite books in the series. Allie has Grown so much since coming to the island. This feels like her coming into her own with Rex by her side. I hope there will be many more to come.

Thank You to NetGalley and The Publishers for an ARC in Exchange for an Honest Review.

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Solve a murder or deal with your Momzilla? Allie, who is (finally) marrying Rex in two weeks, finds herself deeply involved in the hunt for the villain who smashed Velma with a rock. Her mom, on the other hand, wants her to do spa and other wedding things (and she's not happy with the arrangements). Luckily, Aunt Ginny is, as always, willing to help. This latest in the series set on Mackinac Island is a classic cozy (with a classic solution) that can easily be read as a standalone. It's fun, it's light and it's entertaining. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next stage of Allie's life.

I always enjoy visiting with Allie and all her friends and pets. This entry in the series didn’t have much focus on the McMurphy and her fudge making business. Allie is so preoccupied with her imminent wedding and the early arrival of her family that she has to let her employees take over. Also, there’s that little distraction of a murder! I enjoyed the book, even though the apprehension of the murderer was pretty far-fetched. Four paws up.

'Fudge and Marriage' is a delightful continuation in Nancy Coco's Mackinac Island series. The addition of more characters in the form of family members attending the marriage festivities for Allie and Rex provided great insights into story backgrounds and the main character's motivations for their actions and life choices. It wasn't fluff, but the charm of the family Fudge shop was still evident in the surprisingly edgy mystery storyline. The person responsible for the crime was a complete surprise to me, and that doesn't often happen. This book is a gift to those who are committed to the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I enjoyed this book very much. It’s a very interesting mystery, with lots of twists, especially the one at the end. I also like the intensity of the family relationships. #FudgeandMarriage #NetGalley

Fudge and Marriage is a cozy mystery set around Rex and Allie's wedding plans. Allie battles with her mom trying to rule her and take over the wedding planning. Her mom's ideas are BIG and POMPOUs in Allies eyes. Allie and Rex want just a small community wedding with a potluck afterwards. Meantime, while this is all going on, there is a murder that takes place by the library. Rex is on the police department and Allie loves to play Ms Detective and is actually good at it. She determines she'll find the killer, after all she did find the dead body. I also have to mention that the Fudge theme is in reference to the fact that Allie owns her own fudge shop which is part of the McMurphey, which is an old hotel that she also runs. I loved the fudge tidbits throughout the story. Made me want to dig out my grandma's old Million Dollar fudge recipe!! The book is the 13th in the Candy Coated Mysteries but you won't have any trouble reading it as a stand alone.

Thank you to Netgalley, Nancy Coco and Kensingtons Cozies for allowing me this advanced copy ebook in exchange for my opinion.